title: Oligomeric structure of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 envelope glycoprotein.
abstract: The envelope (env) glycoprotein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) consists of two noncovalently associated subunits, gp120 and gp41, that are formed gradient sedimentation, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, gradient sedimentation, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and chemical cross-linking, we show that gp160 is synthesized as a monomer and subsequently forms stable homodimers. The molecule remains dimeric after cleavage to gp120/gp41 but is less stable to detergent solubilization and centrifugation. Analysis of wild-type and mutated env proteins indicated that interactions between the ectodomain regions of adjoining gp41 subunits are important for dimer formation and stability. A higher-order oligomeric form was also recovered, probably a tetramer consisting of two noncovalently associated dimers. The proposed subunit composition of the HIV-1 env protein is identical to that previously observed for the paramyxovirus envelope proteins F and HN.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Viral Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892.
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Earl
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Doms
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Moss
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D002499:Centrifugation, Density Gradient; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D005814:Genes, Viral; D015699:HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015700:HIV Envelope Protein gp41 / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008970:Molecular Weight; D013388:Succinimides; D014616:Vaccinia virus / Q000235:genetics; D015678:Viral Structural Proteins / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D015699:HIV Envelope Protein gp120; D015700:HIV Envelope Protein gp41; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D013388:Succinimides; D015678:Viral Structural Proteins; C035759:3,3'-dithiobis(sulfosuccinimidyl propionate)